2020 Chesapeake Bay Cruise

ASA 104, aboard Acadame, an Island Packet 32.  Instructor Captain David B. Gifford, and students husband Jay Fenske, wife Kathy Fenske, and Laura Fenske, their daughter, age 17.  I was delighted to once again have the chance to sail with the Fenske family, having had the pleasure of introducing them to the sailing experience in their ASA 101 class.  

Day 1:  We met onboard at 0830 and dove right into an extended inspection of the boat and its systems.  The Fenske’s had trained on these IP 32s before, but this afforded them a chance for a detailed inspection and discussion of the boat’s sailing rig and operating components, electrical, plumbing, fuel, engine, mechanical and safety systems.   After lunch, the crew plotted our course for the day’s destination: Queenstown Creek, about a two hour’s sail south on the Chester River.  Winds were light, SW 5 to 8 knots, as we motored down the Chester River.  The entrance to Queenstown Creek is narrow and shallow, and we determined that we would arrive near low tide.  The chart and guides recommend “local knowledge” when entering.  Oh boy!  We made it through the marked entrance without incident at about 1645, but grounded on a muddy ridge reaching out from far shore as we turned into the Creek proper.  After experimenting with a few options (including Laura’s swimming out a kedge anchor - she’s a fish, and a certified diver with strong swimming skills), the wake of a passing boat lifted us off and we were on our way to a peaceful anchorage for the night.  A first day adventure! 

Day 2: We breakfasted early (thank you Kathy), the crew plotted our day’s course, and were underway by 0900.  Once in the Chester River, we met winds SW 10 to 12 knots, and raised the main and genoa for a jaunty sail to Kent Narrows, then on to Dividing Creek, off the Wye River.  The winds increased to 12 to 14 knots, causing us to reef both sails.  With sails down and engine on, we twisted our way through the Narrows, and had a short wait for the bridge opening.  Once through, we again raised the main and genoa, each reefed, for an enjoyable sail on SW winds down Prospect Bay and Eastern Bay, to the Wye River.  Passing beautiful landscapes on either hand, we turned into and anchored toward the end of Dividing Creek.  A passing thunderstorm offered little relief from the heat in the evening but left the water still as a pond for a comfortable night’s sleep at anchor. 

Day 3: Another sunny, but windless day.  We determined that the holding tank needed pumping and the crew needed a few hours ashore, so we motored leisurely to St. Michaels Marina.  Arriving at around 1130, with Laura at the helm, we waited our turn at the fuel dock watching all manner of expensive craft passing by.  After taking on fuel and emptying our holding tank (carefully, as the heat and motion required a slow release of pressure), Laura adeptly docked our boat stern-to in our assigned slip.  The rest of the day was spent relaxing, with a walk to town, and onshore food and drink for the crew. 

Day 4: All were up early to prepare and plot our course for an extended leg to Annapolis.  We enjoyed a good sail throughout the morning in winds N 10 to 12 knots.  Upon nearing the Chesapeake Bay/Eastern Bay intersection the wind died down, so we motor-sailed north to Annapolis.  By the time we arrived, the weekend traffic in the harbor had slackened, and we had our pick of mooring balls in the field just outside Ego Alley.  After mooring, we took the water taxi ashore for a shower and dinner.  At 2030, rising from dinner, we discovered that, alas, due to the corona virus shutdown, the water taxi service now ends at 1900.  (No mention of this change by the taxi-man on our way ashore at 1830!)  We were rescued from a night ashore by a generous couple in a passing motor vessel, who with good cheer deposited us aboard Acadame for a quiet night’s rest. 

Day 5: Our last day, and the crew prepared early for our voyage up the Bay and Chester River to Lankford Creek and home.  Winds were N 10 to 12 knots, largely from the direction of our course (naturally), but we were able to make reasonable time close hauled, tacking occasionally, to the Bay Bridge.  Nearing the bridge, we turned on the engine and motor-sailed under the spans, around Love Point, and into the Chester River.  There we encountered light winds N 5 to 8 knots and continued to motor-sail under the mainsail only, up the Chester River and into Lankford Creek, with Jay, Kathy and Laura taking turns at the helm.  Arriving at Davis Creek, Laura steered us smoothly onto the pump-out dock, where we emptied our holding tank.  Thence to our home slip, where a tired but happy crew and captain arrived at around 1700.

Captain David Gifford
On board S/V AcadAme
Rock Hall, Maryland
June 30, 2020